TEch Tips
Attics: Obstructions/Obstacles
1.
Boxes (electrical, smoke, CO, etc.): Cut and/or split insulation
around wiring and boxes.
2.
Ceiling fan boxes: Cut and/or split insulation around ceiling fan
boxes, wiring and any support bracing.
Insulation is pulled down
for demonstration only
3.
Recessed Lights (IC and ICAT rated only): Cut and/or split insulation
around wiring and recessed lights and fit snugly to boxes.
Notice: Recommend using ICAT rated.
4.
Wires (electrical, cable, security, low voltage, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around wiring and fit snugly to boxes and other obstructions.
TEch Tips
Attics: Obstructions/Obstacles
5.
Exhaust/ventilation fans: Cut and/or split insulation around exhaust fan
boxes, ductwork, wiring and any support bracing and fit snugly to boxes.
6.
Ducts/connectors: Cut and/or split insulation around HVAC
Boots and insulated ductwork and any support bracing.
NOTICE: The clearance between insulation and fossil-fuel appliances, chimneys, recessed lights and
other hot surfaces must meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and
International Code Council (ICC) building codes, and the appliance manufacturers’ recommendations whichever is most restrictive.
In general, when installing insulation in contact with or near hot surfaces:
Insulation is pulled down
for demonstration only
7.
Pipes (water supply, plumbing vents, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around pipes.
1.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for equipment and appliances to determine any insulation
requirements or restrictions.
2.
Check the applicable building code for insulation clearance requirements. These are typically
contained in the fire, building and mechanical codes. If there are any questions - consult your local
building department for the applicable requirements.
3.
Mineral fiber insulation (fiber glass, rock and slag wool) are noncombustible but may have
flammable facings which cannot be used in hot applications. These insulations are also available
with noncombustible facings and facings which have flame spread and smoke developed indices
appropriate for most code requirements.
4.
When it is permissible to insulate in hot applications, note that most fiber glass products used in
building insulation melt at approximately 800 degrees F and rock wool products used to insulate
buildings melt at approximately 1200 degrees F. Both fiber glass and rock wool materials are
available which have higher melting temperatures.
TEch Tips Walls:
Limited Access and Special Situations
1.
Stairs/landings: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without gaps, voids, misalignments or compression.
2.
Tubs/showers: For walls that will not have an interior finish and are
separating conditioned and unconditioned spaces, wall cavities are
insulated and an interior rigid air barrier is installed.
NO RIGID AIR BARRIER
3.
Fireplaces: For walls that will not have the same interior finish and are
separating conditioned and unconditioned spaces, wall cavities are
insulated and an interior rigid air barrier is installed.
Note: Limited Access and Special Situations are areas on exterior walls that may
be easier to insulate before covering up. It is advisable to insulate these cavities
first/before other wall cavities are insulated.
TEch Tips
Walls: Narrow and Odd Cavities
1.
Narrow cavities: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without gaps, voids, misalignments or compression.
2.
Odd cavity: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without gaps, voids, misalignments or compression.
Insulation is
removed for
demonstration
only
3.
Corners: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without gaps, voids, misalignments or compression.
4.
Ladder T (interior/exterior wall intersection): Install insulation to fill the
cavity between conditioned and unconditioned space without gaps, voids,
misalignments or compression.
TEch Tips
Walls: Narrow and Odd Cavities
5.
Vapor retarder: Where a vapor retarder is required, cover the warm-inwinter side of the narrow space with vapor retarder facing.
6.
Windows/doors: Air seal around windows and doors using backer rod,
caulk or low expansion foam. Do not use fibrous insulation or air-permeable
foam.
TEch Tips
Walls: Obstructions/Obstacles
Insulation is
removed for
demonstration
only
1.
Boxes (electrical, smoke, CO, etc.): Cut and/or split insulation around wiring
and boxes and place a piece of insulation behind the box.
2.
Electrical panel: Cut and/or split insulation around electrical panel wiring.
Insulation is removed
for demonstration only
3.
Wires (electrical, cable, security, low voltage, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around wiring.
4.
Dryer/Exhaust: Cut and/or split insulation around exhaust fan boxes,
ductwork, wiring and any support bracing.
TEch Tips
Walls: Obstructions/Obstacles
Insulation is
removed for
demonstration
only
5.
Pipes (water supply, plumbing vents, gas lines, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around pipes.
TEch Tips
Walls: Rim/Band Joists
1.
3.
House-to-garage band joist: Ensure there is a complete air
barrier between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
Conditioned crawl/basement-to-outside rim joist: Ensure there is
a complete air barrier and insulation between conditioned and
unconditioned spaces.
2.
House-to-outside band joist: Ensure there is insulation between
conditioned and unconditioned spaces.
TEch Tips
Walls: Standard Cavities (Faced)
1.
Gaps: Install insulation to fill the cavity completely between
conditioned and unconditioned space without gaps.
2.
3.
Misalignment: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without misalignments.
4.
Voids: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without voids.
Compression: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned
and unconditioned space without compression. Split or slit batts
around the wires.
TEch Tips
Walls: Standard Cavities (Un-Faced)
1.
Gaps: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned
and unconditioned space without gaps.
2.
Voids: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without voids.
3.
Misalignment: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without misalignments.
4.
Compression: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned
and unconditioned space without compression.
TEch Tips Floors: Above
Unconditioned Crawlspace/Basement
1.
Gaps: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned
and unconditioned space without gaps.
2.
Voids: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without voids.
3.
Misalignment: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without misalignments.
4.
Compression: Install insulation to fill the cavity between conditioned and
unconditioned space without compression.
TEch Tips Floors: Above
Unconditioned Crawlspace/Basement
5.
If using kraft-faced batts: Install kraft facing against the warm-in-winter
side of cavity.
TEch Tips
Floors: Obstructions/Obstacles
1.
Ducts/connectors: Cut and/or split insulation around HVAC
Boots and insulated ductwork and any support bracing.
2.
Wires (electrical, cable, security, low voltage, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around wiring.
NOTICE: The clearance between insulation and fossil-fuel appliances, chimneys, recessed lights and
other hot surfaces must meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and
International Code Council (ICC) building codes, and the appliance manufacturers’ recommendations whichever is most restrictive.
In general, when installing insulation in contact with or near hot surfaces:
3.
Pipes (Water supply, plumbing vents, gas lines, etc.): Cut and/or split
insulation around pipes.
1.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for equipment and appliances to determine any insulation
requirements or restrictions.
2.
Check the applicable building code for insulation clearance requirements. These are typically
contained in the fire, building and mechanical codes. If there are any questions - consult your local
building department for the applicable requirements.
3.
Mineral fiber insulation (fiber glass, rock and slag wool) are noncombustible but may have
flammable facings which cannot be used in hot applications. These insulations are also available
with noncombustible facings and facings which have flame spread and smoke developed indices
appropriate for most code requirements.
4.
When it is permissible to insulate in hot applications, note that most fiber glass products used in
building insulation melt at approximately 800 degrees F and rock wool products used to insulate
buildings melt at approximately 1200 degrees F. Both fiber glass and rock wool materials are
available which have higher melting temperatures.